Abstract: A string arrangement for attachment to a conventional stringed instrument comprises a substantially conventional string which is carried upon a reel member surrounded by a cover member with the string passing through an opening in the cover member. The reel member carries a sleeve portion which can be pressed over the conventional peg of a guitar or other instrument and can be attached thereto for rotation by a pin passing through the transverse conventional hole of the peg. In this way the string can be readily applied by attaching the free end to the base of the guitar in conventional manner and unreeling the string to a position where the reel member attaches to the conventional peg with little slack in the string. Rotation of the conventional string tensioning key then operates directly upon the reel member to wind in the string onto the reel member and to provide the necessary tensioning of the string.

Abstract: An illumination optical system including an optical system effective to direct light from a light source to a surface to be illuminated, and an optical unit disposed in a path of the light defined by the optical system, the optical unit having a variable refracting power which is variable in accordance with the size of the surface to be illuminated.

Abstract: A speaker retaining assembly (10) that includes a support unit (12) having latches (13) disposed thereon. A retaining ring (14) functions to secure a speaker (11) in place with respect to the support unit (12). The retaining ring (14) includes an appropriately configured plurality of cavities (21) that interact with the latches (13) to so secure the speaker (11). A resilient member (36) can be utilized to bias the retaining ring (14) with respect to the latches (13) to further ensure the securement.

Abstract: A photographing number change-over device for a two lens camera having two photographing lenses equipped with shutters, respectively, is capable of photographing two pictures on a film. The photographing number change-over device comprises a driving member moving to two different positions alternately every time shutter charge is effected, a light cut-off plate rotatable about an axis substantially in parallel with optical axes of the photographing lenses, a regulating member engaging the light cut-off plate and detachably engaging the driving member for anchoring the light cut-off plate at either of first and second positions where the light cut-off plate shuts off either of the two photographing lenses and anchoring the light cut-off plate at a third position where the light cut-off plate shuts off neither of the two photographing lenses, and a change-over member for causing the regulating member and driving member to engage and disengage from each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for discharging static electricity from the human body by ionizing air and utilizing the flow of ions from the apparatus into the surrounding environment to discharge the body. The apparatus utilizes two power supplies to raise two embedded electrodes positioned in a horizontal plane different voltage potentials with respect to the body. The air is ionized by utilizing discharge electrodes of the opposite polarity positioned over each of the embedded electrodes which results in air ions being formed in a ion distribution above each embedded electrode. The embedded electrodes are positioned a predetermined distance from each other in the embedded plane. Within the region between the embedded electrodes, the ions recombine to form air molecules. The ions in the distribution layers above each embedded electrode drift toward this region under attraction from each other.

Abstract: Legs of a musical instrument are received in corresponding posts on a caster beam via slidable telescopic connection whose degree is changeable depending on the selected level of the musical instrument and uncontrolled fall of the musical instrument during level adjustment is mechanically prevented without any manual assistance for easier level adjustment.

Abstract: In the construction of a bass range clarinet having a tubular body with an axial hole for air column vibration and tone holes for sound wave emanation, an additional radial hole is provided in communication with the axial hole to reduce sound wave reflection by an open pad for controlling the condition of each tone hole, thereby assuring generation of a brilliant and clarion tones.

Abstract: An electrodynamic loudspeaker (1) has a diaphragm comprising a central part (2) and a peripheral part (3), and a voice-coil device (9, 10) coupled to the central part (2). The surface ratio S.sub.2 /S.sub.1 complies with the relationship 0.5.ltoreq.S.sub.2 /S.sub.1 .ltoreq.6, where S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are the surface areas of the central part (2) and the peripheral part (3) respectively. The mass ratio m.sub.2 /m.sub.1 complies with the relationship 0.5.ltoreq.m.sub.2 /m.sub.1 .ltoreq.8 where m.sub.1 and m.sub.2 are the mass of the central part (2) and the voice-coil device (9, 10) and the mass of the peripheral part (3) respectively. Further, the stiffness imposed on the diaphragm by the space (6, 6') defined by the diaphragm (2, 3) and the chassis (4) and/or the magnet system (7) is smaller than the stiffness of the diaphragm itself. Thus it is possible to derive a car loudspeaker which has a specific dip in its frequency response characteristic P (FIG. 2a), measured in an anechoic room.

Abstract: A spring-biased expansion band of metal bar members, attaches to a clasp member at one end and to a linear array of separately removeable and replaceable links at the other end to complete the bracelet. Each link has a pivot bar at one end and a complementary shaped aperture at the other end which engages the pivot bar upon an adjacent link. Size adjustment is obtained by user insertion or removal of one or more links from the band. The band and clasp member are electrically conductive at the bracelet's interior circumference, but electrically insulating at the bracelet's exterior circumference. A grounding cord connects to the conductive surface through a swivel and snap electrical connector at the clasp member.

Abstract: A strap connector for the body of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, comprising two overlaid members, with the bottom member being more elongated than the top member to define a protective piece over the instrument body. A strap engagement ring is carried by the top member. That ring overlies the protective piece, whereby that piece protects the instrument body against contact with the ring. The strap connector is held to the body of the instrument by a projection from the instrument extending through a slit in the strap connector.

Abstract: In a two-legged pair of compasses the one leg (10) is provided with a measuring and mounting facility (40) which, at one of its ends (41), is linked to this leg (10) and which, at its other end (42), is provided with a scribing device (50), wherein the measuring and mounting facility (40) is provided with an aperture (43) through which a measuring ruler (60) on which lengthwise graduations (65) are applied can be passed which, with one of its ends (61) is detachably secured to the carrying element (21) of the other leg (20) and which projects with its other free end (62) that can be passed through the aperture (43), while on the measuring and mounting facility (40), a point-like configured indicator (44,45) which can be allocated to the longitudinal graduations (65) so that the thus necessary measuring of dimensions with the aid of measuring rulers is dispensed with (FIG. 1).

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height of a piano pedal includes an assembly member provided at the proximal end of a pedal, a support member provided at the distal end of a pedal frame, the support member and the assembly member being movable in the vertical direction relative to each other, and an operation bolt in thread engagement with a screw hole formed in the support member in the vertical direction, a head portion of the operation bolt being pivotally supported at the lower portion of the assembly member.

Abstract: An adjustable, conductive body strap utilizing a connector securing a strip of material held in a closed loop with a mechanical connector with the interior surface of the strip of material being electrically conductive. An electrical connector connects the conductive surface of the strip of material to a connection point to provide for external electrical ground connection. The mechanical connector secures one end of the strip of material in place. The connector adjustably secures the opposite end of the strip of material utilizing a recess into which a plate is mounted with a plurality of spikes. The strip of material is impaled upon the plurality of spikes. A cover, preferably hinged, then secures the strip of material over the plurality of spikes once it is suitably adjusted completing the adjustable connection. An electrically conductive back plate connects both ends of the strip of material to the electrical connection point.

Abstract: For easy adjustment of a key driver assembly, there is disclosed an automatic music player system having at least a recording mode and a reproducing mode and comprising (a) a piano having a keyboard provided with a plurality of keys, a sound generator mechanism operative to mechanically generate sounds when the keys are actuated, and an effector mechanism operative to affect the sound generated by the sound generator mechanism upon actuation, (b) a control unit located at the outside of the piano and operative to store a musical information produced by a keying-in on the keyboard and an operation of the effector mechanism in the recording mode and to produce drive signals based on the musical information stored therein in the reproducing mode, (c) a key driver assembly provided with a plurality of actuators corresponding to the keys, respectively, and responsive to the drive signal for selectively actuating the keys, (d) an effector driver assembly responsive to the drive signal and operative to actuate the e

Abstract: An electroconductive sliding apparatus for electrically connecting a first member to a second member, both of which members are relatively moving and electroconductive by means of an electroconductive contactor, said apparatus comprising: a magnetic fluid, which is retained by means of the magnetic force between said first and/or second members, placed at the slidable contact point of said first and/or second members with said contactor; said first and/or second members and said contactor being brought into close proximity capable of metal contact or electroconduction by means of the force applied to said contactor and at said slidable contact point at which said magnetic fluid is placed.

Abstract: A high density headplate (12) made of brass or other metal is secured between a stringed instrument's headstock (10) and its tuning machine (20). This both increases the angle (A) of the string (14) at the nut (16) and effectively increases the density of the headstock which results in a noticeable increase in sustain as well as an improvement in the perceived frequency response of the instrument.

Abstract: The prolongation of a jack in the escapement mechanism of an upright piano is provided with a repetition lever having a roller that is engageable with a vertically adjustable repetition button positioned beneath the roller so that priming of the mechanism begins from the moment the wippen enters its downstroke movement.

Abstract: A corona charging device for depositing negative charge on an imaging surface comprises at least one elongated conductive metal corona discharge electrode supported between insulating end blocks and being coated with a substantially continuous thin conductive dry film of aluminum hydroxide containing conductive particles. The corona discharge electrode may be a thin metal wire or alternatively at least one linear array of pin electrodes and the conductive particles in the coating are graphite particles.

Abstract: A gauging device and method for use in coupling threaded tubular articles including tubes and couplings. The device and method provides for the use of gauges for the tube and coupling that provide markings thereon that when in register during coupling indicate when a preselected threading distance has been achieved. A coupling assembly is provided that employs an annular gasket attached to the coupling and adapted to be deformed by the end of a tube when inserted into the coupling to provide sealing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a carriage for guiding a computer mouse. The bottom surface of the carriage is recessed for insertion of a computer mouse therein. The mouse is removably clamped in the recess to prevent relative movement to the carriage. The centrally positioned control ball of the mouse is free to operate in a conventional manner. Four rotatable wheels are carried by the carriage and are pivotally connected through a crank arm to a common free floating bracket. An adjustable clamp and biasing spring allow any configuration of a computer mouse to be removably clamped within the carriage. When a mouse is clamped within the carriage and oriented relative to an X/Y axis movement of the carriage and mouse in any direction does not change the original setting of the X/Y axis. The carriage further includes a cross-hair sight for accurately tracing a drawing with the mouse and carriage.